Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Cajun Spice

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy fried chicken pieces soaked in a tangy buttermilk brine and coated with a bold Cajun spice mix for a crispy, flavorful crust. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, buttermilk, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 American cuisine 430 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups buttermilk and 2 tsp salt until dissolved.
  2. Step 2: Submerge 6 bone-in chicken thighs in the buttermilk brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  3. Step 3: In a separate large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken pieces from the brine, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing to coat.
  5. Step 5: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F.
  6. Step 6: Fry the chicken in batches, turning occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  7. Step 7: Drain fried chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving hot and crispy.

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